Enjoyment Responses to High Intensity Interval Training and Moderate Intensity Continuous Exercise

Twelve men and women who were habitually active initially performed ramp exercise on a cycle ergometer to assess maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and peak power output (PPO), which was used to determine workload for the subsequent 2 bouts. They returned at least 48 h later at the same time of day to complete high intensity interval training (HIIT consisting of repeated 1 min bouts at 85 %PPO) or moderate intensity continuous training (MICT consisting of 25 min at 40 %PPO). During exercise, heart rate, oxygen uptake, perceived exertion, pleasure:displeasure, and blood lactate concentration were continuously assessed. Ten minutes post-exercise, physical activity enjoyment was measured. Data showed that despite higher oxygen uptake, heart rate, blood lactate concentration, and perceived exertion in HIIT, enjoyment was higher in HIIT versus MICT.